My Basement Bar Build

[Hoppopotomus]

Thanks guys....I appreciate the compliments.

I have plenty to keep me busy for a long, long time. The rustic all electric brewing room is just getting started (still need rough electrical, rough plumbing, drywall, cement board, stone tiling, floor tiling, etc), I still need to complete my keggle conversions, I have to decide on a control panel, my fermentation chambers are just getting started, I haven't even started the grain weighing/milling station (motorized), I still need to build the grain storage bin, I still need to build the shelving in my cold storage wine/beer cellar, I just milled logs yesterday for a red cedar log framed chalkboard for above the keezer (still need to build/finish it), I still need to put the final finish on the log bar stools, the list goes on and on and on and on and on................ This doesn't include any of the other crap that my wife wants me to build, renovate, upgrade, etc. in the rest of the house. I'm trying to find the right balance of getting enough done on my brewing projects to make reasonable progress, while at the same time incorporating things to satisfy what she wants done. There's just not enough time in the day......

 

[WooHokie]

damn man... your bar looks awesome

 

[Hoppopotomus]

Thanks man, much appreciated. If you are interested, I'm doing similar builds for my dedicated brewing room and rustic fermentation chambers. Lots of knotty pine, cedar logs, and stainless steel! I'll add a links to my signature line at some point. Here's the link in interested.....

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/hoppos-e-brewery-build-283510/

and

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/hoppos-rustic-fermentation-chambers-ale-lager-301274/

Thanks again.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

I did a little work in the bar today. I have been putting it off long enough, so I decided to tackle the bar stool project. I purchased 4 rustic cedar log bar stools from a guy on CL quite a while ago. I got all 4 for $50, so $12.50 apiece. They were in pretty rough shape and needed refinishing. I stripped the old finish off and have spend hours on end sanding these things. Here's a pic of the first 3 with their first coat of polyurethane on them. The 4th one needs quite a bit more attention on sanding. I didn't want to over sand these things and lose the character in the logs, so they still have some gnarly qualities. I'll try to get the 4th one sanded later on, but I'm sick of this project already! Only 3 to 4 more coats of poly.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

While I had the polyurethane out, I decided to start the finish on my Oberon high boy pub table. I'm collaborating with the same guy who build my cedar log vanity for the bar bathroom to build a cedar log pool table. He has a buddy that builds pool tables, he has the milling equipment, and I have the logs, so hopefully one of the final touches will be a kick a$$ log pool table. I build this pub table out of cedar boards, knotty pine, and a piece of redwood left over from when I cut the sink opening out of my redwood countertop. It will sit next to the pool table for putting drinks on. The galvanized pipe is threaded on the ends and I found some threaded brackets that screw into the base and bottom of the table top. I drilled out Oberon mini kegs that will slide down over the pipe. The entire top will be filled with Oberon beer caps and then a layer of 2 step epoxy will be poure over the entire top.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

OK....one final project that I have been working on is a cedar log framed chalkboard. I had a b*tch of a time finding a chalkboard, but ended up finding this 24" x 18" blackboard at JoAnne Fabrics for $8. I build a log frame for it.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

I ripped a bunch of logs on my table saw the other day for the chalboard frame. I decided to do extra for trim pieces for my rustic fermentation chambers as well. I chose the 4 that I liked best for the frame and then used my trusty draw knife to knife the bar off. Then I sanded the hell out of the logs and cut to size. Finally, I put it together and put 4 coats of polyurethane on it. Once it is dry, I'll attach the chalkboard and install the hanging brackets on the back. Slowly but surely, I'm getting there.

 

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Buddy, you do great work.

 

[joety]

I ripped a bunch of logs on my table saw the other day for the chalboard frame. I decided to do extra for trim pieces for my rustic fermentation chambers as well. I chose the 4 that I liked best for the frame and then used my trusty draw knife to knife the bar off. Then I sanded the hell out of the logs and cut to size. Finally, I put it together and put 4 coats of polyurethane on it. Once it is dry, I'll attach the chalkboard and install the hanging brackets on the back. Slowly but surely, I'm getting there.

I inherited a draw knife from my grandpa. I may have to try this?

 

[Hoppopotomus]

The log framed chalkboard is complete!!! I tacked the board onto the back of the frame and finished the wall mounts. It's still very slightly tacky yet, but I had to put it on the wall to see how it looks. My original intent was to make the chalkboard much larger, but since this was the only size board that I could find, it is smaller than I wanted. I would have preferred that it was about 12" wider, but oh well. I plan on building cedar log/deer antler sconces on either side of the chalkboard to fill out the rest of the wall space. Just what I need....another project. I'll wait a couple of days for this to dry completely before I use chalk on the board to list my lineup.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

I inherited a draw knife from my grandpa. I may have to try this?

Give it a try if your into the whole log decor thing. If not, I'll take it!

 

[Hoppopotomus]

Although it was still a little tacky as well, I threw together the Oberon Pub Table, so you guys can see what the hell I'm talking about. The Oberon mini kegs stack on top of one another and the galvanized pipe pierces up through holes in the bottoms and tops of the kegs that I created. It was a royal PITA to get everything to line up just right. I actually like this years Oberon kegs much better, but I already did so much work on these ones that I'm going to just roll with it. I also considered doing a Bell's inspired pub table using 4 different kegs that I have laying around (Oberon, Two Hearted, Hop Slam, & Best Brown), but again, it is too much work to start over. I have a couple hundred Oberon caps for the top, but still need about 100 more. I have everyone that I know saving their caps for me. I still have 3 cases of Oberon in my beer cellar that I stocked up on last fall....maybe I should finish them off.

 

[Thirstin4aburstin]

Very jealous! I grew up in Michigan and moved to California 5 years ago. My family still lives in Blissfield near the Ohio border. I wish California homes had basements...yours is bigger than my whole house! Great job man and keep up the good work

 

[Hoppopotomus]

Thanks! I played in a lot of baseball tournaments in Blissfield growing up. I grew up on 40 acres in a tiny little town called Osseo, which is 1/2 way between Hillsdale and Hudson. I have a lot of family around the Blissfield/ Adrian area. In fact, my uncle owns a farm on the south side of US223 between Blissfield and Adrian. Does the name Benschooter ring a bell?

 

[Thirstin4aburstin]

It sounds vaguely familiar. I'm sure my parents would know because it seems like everyone knows everyone around there. And it's definitely a baseball town! I kind of miss being back there, I'd love to be able to own some land and expand my brewing. Maybe some day, then I'll be able to build a sweet basement like yours! :rockin:

 

[ppeck1]

I'm in awe at how awesome your bar build is. One day.. When I own a house.. I aspire to create a bar that is a tenth of what your bar is.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

Thanks, I appreciate it. My log bar stools are almost done, but I had to put that project on the back burner to prep. the rest of the basement for carpeting. The formal measurement/estimate was done on Tues. and the carpeting will be installed early next week. It's almost there! I should be 100% complete with the entire basement, bar included next week. I will then devote my spare time to my dedicated brewing room. Thanks again!

On a different note......My wife turns 40 today and she has shown an interest in wine making, so I went to my local HBS and bought her everything for wine making. My HBS carries the full line of Winexpert juice kits from most wine regions of the world, so I bought her a Premium Select International kit, which is an Australian Cabernet. I guess my basement brewing room is now going to be a brewing/wine making room. If she is really interest in the process, we will invest in a grape de-stemmer/crusher and learn the process from scratch. I'm hoping that if I can get her hooked on wine making, she will be a little easier going about my brewing obsession.

 

[ahaley]

If I dress up as a bear and pose downstairs, can I stay in the basement?
It looks outstanding! I wish I had the money and time to do my own basement they way I want to. or even have a basement lol

 

[headbanger]

Looks great man, nice work!

 

[Hoppopotomus]

Haven't been on HBT in a while....too busy at work. Thanks for the compliments guys. Hey, ahaley......It's funny you should mention that, because I have 2 chainsaw carved bears in the basement, one out of pine and one out of red cedar. Your going to have to choose another species to dress up as, then maybe we'll talk. I haven't posted recent pictures, but the entire basement is finished including all carpeting, furnishing, etc. I'll try to get some final pics. of the bar and basement posted this weekend.

 

[ahaley]

Well played sir... Well played... What if I dress like a.. Wolf, or a fox... I wish that I had the supplies you have, I'd go bananas making things all day every day lol

 

[joety]

I am definitely stealing that pony keg bar table idea.

 

[1fast636]

you are inspiration for my basement. havent started it yet but i will be taking notes off your thread very well done. love the pub table for next to the pool table. your wood working skills are amazing. well done man cant wait to see the finished pics

 

[mjdonnelly68]

Beautiful basement bar - marries two of my favorite things (beer and the Adirondacks).

Color me jealous.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

I am definitely stealing that pony keg bar table idea.

Go for it and let me know if you have any questions. I'm still collecting Oberon caps (need about 50 more) and once I have enough, the entire top will be covered with the caps and then 2 step epoxy will be used to create the final finish over it.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

you are inspiration for my basement. havent started it yet but i will be taking notes off your thread very well done. love the pub table for next to the pool table. your wood working skills are amazing. well done man cant wait to see the finished pics

Thanks for the compliment. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to help. Working with logs is pretty forgiving, so don't think for a minute that I'm some master wood worker. With the rustic trim work, it's easy to hide my mistakes.

 

[BeardedIdiot]

Amazing work. I just went through the whole thread.

This makes me want to tear everything out of my basement and start over from scratch. Too bad I can't afford to do it... Maybe in a few years...

 

[huntb]

Dang! I was just in Auburn Hills yesterday! I should have stopped by for a brew

 

[itoriapt]

Wow. When you finish, grab your tools, and head to my house.

 

[ahaley]

wow. When you finish, grab your tools, and head to my house.

+1